Male Iron Rat Year

Yangchen C Rinzin 

The year 2020 saw yet again another reminder for the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) to reform the civil service.

However, this time, the reminder was issued to the public through a Royal Kasho (Edict).

The clear message to the civil servants was that Bhutanese must know when to reform the institutions to keep abreast with the changing times.

His Majesty reminded the people that the Royal kasho is not being granted for the civil service alone or to enhance the privileges of the civil servants.  It was being granted to reform the civil service for the benefit of the nation and people and to meet the collective aspirations.

With government stressing on physical distancing, the Commission asked agencies to allow civil servants to work from home. It was a part of the civil service’s Continuing Service Delivery Plan.

However, people complained of not being able to avail services. Some civil servants complained of problems in delivering output due to poor internet connectivity, and home environment when working from home.

As most offices resorted to working from home,  virtual meetings, a rare practice before, became everyday routine.

The 12th Plan reprioritisation changed a lot of things, with some activities forgone and others frontloaded. The commission has not changed to the Individual Work Plan, the basis to assess civil servants.

The year of Iron Ox would be a year of hope for many civil servants. It could herald major reforms in the sector. The year 2021 is going to be a busy year for the Commission.